Energy Efficiency in Meat Processing

Energy conservation plays a vital role towards sustainable development of meat processing. Energy costs for many meat plants represent the fourth highest operational cost. In meat processing, moderate levels of both electrical and thermal energy are consumed in wide range of processes and applications. However, energy efficiency improvement in the meat processing industry have been a focus to increase the sustainability of meat processing in the past decades. This chapter started with the examination of the energy use in meat processing facilities. The emerging energy-efficient technologies for meat processing were discussed in detail. Energy requirement for well-cooked meats varies with cooking method, appliances, and consumer behavior. Energy consumption reduction during meat cooking may have an influence on global energy requirement. Selection of cooking method, fuel, and cookware are beneficial for reducing the carbon footprint of the cooking unit. This chapter also presents the effects on quality characteristics of meat and meat products by different cooking methods.